Panel or switch box



July-24,1934 w. wURDAcK 1,967,523 v PANEL OR SWITCH BOX Filed sept. 1o,19:50 z'sheets-snee: 1

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PANEL on swITcH Box vFiled sept. 1o, 195o 2 sheetssheet 2` 4 lll/l HTogwf Y Patented July 24, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PANEL OR SWITCH BOX Application September 10, 1930, Serial No. 480,937

9 Claims.

This invention relates generally to electrical apparatus and, moreparticularly, to a certain new and useful improvement in panel orswitchboxes.

My invention has for its chief object the provision in connection with apanel or switch-box of line and distribution terminals and a terminalconnecting member, the latter being so normally out of engagingregistration with the terminals as to necessitate prior positivemanipulation thereof for effecting electrical connection of theterminals.

My invention has for another object the provision of a panel orswitch-box in which the line and distribution terminalsare housed in thebox proper and the terminal connecting member carried by the door of thebox for swingable actuation for electrically connecting the terminals,the Vconducting member, however, being also so shiftable relatively bothto the door and the terminals as require positive prior shiftableactuation of the conducting-member for effecting electrical connectionof the terminals.

My invention has for still another object the provision of a panel orswitch-box of the type described in which the distribution terminals areprotectingly connected by safety fuses completely housed in the box bothduring completion and interruption of the circuit and irrespective ofthe swung position of the box-door and its carried terminal connectingmember.

My invention has for a further object the provision of a combinationswitch and fuse box, simple, unique, and compact in design andstructure, and embodying a mounted switch associated with correspondingfuse-protective means, the casing of the structure being normally closedby a door of so-called dead-front type, whereby, when the doer is openedfor access to the fuse compartment, all exposed parts are disconnectedfrom the line, the live or line-side of the apparatus being enclosed inan inaccessible insulating compartment. v

Still further objects of my invention vare to provide a switchingapparatus of the kind set forth, in which the parts are so constructedand arranged for co-operation that the circuit is made and interruptedrespectively by closing and opening the door; in which the parts in thefuse compartment, when connected to the line, are coveredby the door andhence safely inaccessible; in which means are provided for normallyautomatically returning and yieldingly holding the switching members toand in circuit-interrupting position whenever the door is opened; in

' side walls b, is a trim B.

(Cl. Zoll- 162) which the switching members may be set and, if desired,locked, in circuit-opening or normal off position and the door closed;and in which the door may not be closed unless the switchingmembers aredefinitely in either off or on position. Y

And with the above and other objects in view, my invention resides inthe novel features of form, construction, arrangement, and combinationof .parts hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings (two sheets) Figure 1 is a reducedelevational view of an enclosed panel or switch-board embodying myinvention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged elevational view of the board and its enclosingcasing or shell, the door of th shell being widely opened to disclosethe interior construction;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken approximately along theline 3-3, Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectionalview, the door of the shell beingclosed; and

Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken approximatelyalong the line 5-5, Figure 1.

Referring now more in detail and by reference characters to thedrawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of my invention, Adesignates the enclosing shell or casing, which is constructed of anysuitable preferably metallic material and which includes a rear wall aand forwardly projecting side walls b, the shell A at its oppositeV endsbeing preferably open to facilitate the electrical connections. The sidewalls b at their forward margin are laterally flanged inwardly,as at c,and suitably attached, as by screws d, to the flanges c to overlie thesame and the forward marginal portions of the Forming part of the trim Band bordering three of the margins of its opening, is a doorstopping orlimiting frame e. and hinged, as at f, to the other or lower marginofthe trim-opening, is a preferably `sheet metallic door C adapted, whenin casing closing position, to snugly fit within the trim-opening andupon the frame e, as best seen in Figure 1.

As shown, the. shell rear wall a is preferably formed with pressed-outcorner portions 1 suit- 105 ably apertured for reception of suitablefastening-members, not shown, for securing the shell A to a wall' orother support.

Suitably fixed, as by suitable fastening members 2, flatwise upon theshell rear wall a and extending longitudinally substantially throughoutthe length or height of the shell A, is preferably a registering orparallel pair ofv suitably spaced insulation members or strips D, theupper part (reference being made to Figure 2) of each strip D being theline portion thereof and the lower part of each strip D being the loadportion thereof, as will presently more fully appear. Upstanding orpresented forwardly from the strips D in the upper part only of theshell A, is a pair of suitably spaced insulation wings or partitions 3,and suitably fixed, as by a Z-strip 4, to depend within the shell A andto extend transversely thereacross and -over the upper part only of thefront marginal portions of the wings 3, is an insulation section orplate E. As will be noted, one leg 4a of the Z-bar or strip 4 is fixedto the trim B and also forms a part of the door-frame e. Suitablyattached to the strips D, as by brackets 5, and disposed therebetweenandthe lower margin of the transverse partition or strip E, is a pair ofaligning insulation sections or barriers 6. Thus the interior of theshell A is divided into a lower or fuse compartment g freely accessiblewhen the door() is open, and an upper or terminal compartment hinsulated from the lower compartment g and inaccessible when the door Cis open.

Suitably fixed to and upstanding or presented forwardly from the stripsD within the shell compartment h and insulated one pair from the otherby the wings 3, as best seen in Figures 3 and 5, is a pair of suitablyspaced line terminals preferably in the form of co-operative spring-jaws7 adapted for electrical connection through bars 8 and eyes 9, suitablyfixed to the insulation strips D, as best seen in Figure 5, withrespective linewires 10. Formed in the transverse plate or partition E,are two sets or pairs of openings or slots, one slot 11 of eachrespective pair registering with the respective terminals or jaws 7 andthe other slot 12 of each respective pair being laterally offset asuitable distance from its companion slot 11 and permanently out ofregistration with the respective terminals 7, all for `purposespresently appearing.

of the door C, is a plate 13, to which is xed, byv

suitable fastening elements 14, a block F preferably constructed of arectangular section of insulation material. Mounted on the block F, aretwo electrically independent switching members G each constructed ofconducting material and preferablyY comprising a pair of spaced blades15, 16, projecting rearwardly from the block F, each pair of blades 15,16, being electrically preferably integrally connected by a yoke 17flatwise engaging the block F and/ secured thereto by suitable fasteningelements 18.

The respective switch-members G are each so co-operatively mounted onthe block F that, at

one or the on shifted position thereof, the respective blades 15 willregister with the slots 11 in the partition E for passage therethrough,on closing actuation of 'the door C, into circuit-establishingengagement with the jaws 7," while at the opposite or normal offposition of the block F, the-respective blades 15 will, on closingactuation of the door C pass through the other slots 12 of thepartition'E and be laterally spaced, and

hence positively disengaged and insulated from, the terminal jaws 7,from which normal or off position the block F obviously may not beshiftably moved except upon first opening the door C sufficiently fordisengaging the blades 15 from 80 the partition-apertures or slots 12.

secured thereto by suitable fastening elements 22.

The other jaws 19', 20, are likewise formed by the forwardly presentedlegs of a second U-shaped strip of conducting material, the yoke 23thereof 95 resting flatwise on, and being preferably brazed, welded, orotherwise united to, the yoke 21, the jaws' 19', 20, hence residingbetween, and in suitably spaced relation to, the jaws 19, 20', forrespective blade-receptive co-operation therewith, the free ends 24 ofthe respective jaws 19, 20', being bent or folded inwardly toward, andextendng in blade-gripping relation with, the jaws 19', 20, and thelatter jaws 19', 20, at their free ends being suitably hooked or flared,as at 25, to facilitate the entry of a contact blade between therespective pairs of jaws 19, 19', and 20, 20',

as best seen in Figure 4.

As best seen in Figure 2, the respective pairs of jaws 19, 19', of theterminal-members H longi- 110 tudinally the shell A align with theslotsll of the insulation section E and are adapted to receive the lowerblades 16 of the switching-members GV when the latter are inv shifted onor circuitclosing position and the door C is closed for engaging theupper blades 15 with the terminals 7. Each of the respective pairs ofthe jaws 20, 20', is adapted to removably receive one of the blades 26of a suitable safety fuse J, the other blade 27 thereof being receivedin a suitable 'co- 120 operating distribution terminal preferably in theform of a contact-clip 28 xed, as by means of a suitable fasteningelement29, on the lower portion of the respective panel strip D insuitably spaced fuse holding relation from the cooperating V terminal H.vAlso secured by the fastening element 29 to the strip D, is a terminallug or eye 30 of conventional construction for electrical connectionwith the distribution lines 31. Preferably, as best seen in Figure 2, atleast one of the insulation walls 3 projects sufficiently downwardlyfrom the insulation shelves or sections 6 for substantially insulatingthe terminals H one from the other.

As best seen in Figure 4, the door C is provided with a pair of alignedtransverse slots 32, in each of which works the shank of a suitablefastening element or screw 33, each of the screws 33 being convenientlythreaded into the block-carrying plate 13 on the inner face of the doorC and 140 with its head engaging the corresponding end of ahandle-bracket-bar 34 disposed flatwise for slid.- able movement on theouter face of the door C. Having side bars 35 pivoted, as at 36, withpreferably a rule-joint construction, on ears 37 disposed at the ends ofthe bracket-bar 34, is a handgrip K, which thus most conveniently isadapted for holding actuation downwardly against the door C when not inuse. i

The block-supporting plate 13 is further pro-k 150 vided with anintermediate transverse slot 38, through which and into an elongatedrecess or channel provided in the block F inwardly projectsa stud 40mounted on the door C, and suitably spaced from the stud 40 and pressedinwardly from the plate 13 to also reside in the channehis a prong 41.Disposed in the channel and having one end attached to the prong 41 andits other end to the stud 40, is a suitable tensional member preferablyin the form of a coiled spring 42 for normally automatically retainingthe block F and its carried switch-blade members G yieldingly in, andreturning the same to, off position.

Ihe block F and its carried switch members G being in normal or ,offposition, on the door C being actuated to closed position, the upperblades 15 pass into and through the slots 12 of the insulation wall Eand the lower blades 16 inoperatively project into the spaces, as at g',of the fuse compartment g to the left (reference being made to Figure 2)of the terminals H. Thus, any electrical circuit through the apparatusis most positively and safely prevented, and, as has been stated,circuit through the apparatus can not be established until the door C isopened, the blades 15 removed from the slots 12, and the block F shiftedto the right, on positive manipulation of the handle K and against thetension of spring 42. The block F being so shifted, the blades 15 and 16are now disposed for co-operative circuitengaging relation with theterminals 7 andthe pairs of jaws 19, 19', the blades l5, 16,`co-operatively engaging with the terminals 'I and the jaws 19, 19', onthe door C being closed, and thereby establishing the circuit throughthe fusemembers J between the line wires 10 and the distribution Wires3l. On the door C being again opened, the block F carrying the blades15, 16, is automatically returned, under the pull of the spring 42, tonormal or off position, whereupon the again closing of the door Ctotally fails to establish any electrical connection between the housedterminals 7 and H.' In other words, the blades 15, 16, must bepositively shifted to on position before electrical connection betweenthe terminals 7 and H will be established on a closing of the door C.

A conventional type of spring clip 43 provided on the free margin of thedoor C is adapted for entry into a suitable slot 44 provided in the leg4a of the Z-bar 4 for yielding latching engagement, when the door C isclosed. with the projecting end of a strip 45 fixed on the adjacentmargin of the trim B, as best seen in Figure 2.

Preferably, also, a suitable lock 46, adapted to receive a key insertedfrom the outside of the door C, is mounted on the inner face of the doorC for engaging its extended bolt, when the insulationblock F is in itsoff`or normal position, with a recess 47 provided for the purpose in thepreferably lower margin thereof, for preventing unauthorizedmanipulation of the block F and its carried switching members G from itssaid off or normal position.

It is to be noted that the door C, when closed, is flush with the trimB, which, hence, is most attractively adapted .toV beset flush with awall, panel-board, or the like. However, it will be seen that, upon theopening of the door C, access to that part, namely, theV compartment gof the interior of the casing A containing the fuses J, is freelypermitted, the fuses J remaining stationary within the shell A duringactuationsof the door C, but access to the live or line side of theswitch is prevented by means of the partition E and shelves 6. Theswitching members G provide a double-break contact, so that, when thedoor C is opened, all the parts exposed, as well as the members G, aredisconnected from the line, providing a so-called dead-front" type ofyswitch-board construction, whereby the fuses J may with safety andfacility be changed or manipulated as conditions require. Once the doorC is opened, deliberative manipulation of the block F is required forre-establishing the circuit, and the switch may be locked incircuit-opening position while permitting access to the fuse compartmentof the casing.

If desired, to prevent any unauthorized manipulation of the door C, thedoor C and trim B may be provided. with co-operating eyes 48 adapted,when in registration, as best seen in Figure 5, to receive the hasp 49of a lock 50. It will be noted further that the door C is preferablyprovided with a sight-opening 51 for visually exposing such designationas off and on suitably disposed on the plate 13 to indicate, the door Cbeing closed, the respective circuit making or breaking positions of theblock F and its carried blades 15, 16.

The apparatus is relatively'simple in structure, may be economicallymanufactured, and is exceedingly efficient in the performance of itsintended functions, and it may be added that, in use, it will beunderstood that the particular embodiment of the switch as illustratedis adapted for protecting a two-wire circuit, the line wires 10 thereofbeing respectively connected to the eyes 9 of the terminals 7 and thecorresponding load Wires 31 being respectively connected to the eyes 30electrically connected through the fuses J to the correspondingterminals H. Obviously, however. a three-wire circuit may be protectedby adding the requisite number of co-operating elements suitably for thepurpose, and other changes vand modifications in the form, construction,a'rrangement, and combination of parts may be made and substituted forthose herein shown and described without departing from the nature andprinciple of my invention. e

Having thus described my invention, what I claim andy desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, an enclosing shell having an opening, a pair ofspaced terminals mounted within the shell, al door hinged to the shellfor closing said' opening, a conducting-member mounted on the door andbeing both swingable relatively' to the shell with the door andyieldingly slidably shiftable on and in a plane parallel with the planeof the door for, when shifted and the door closed, electricallyconnecting the terminals, said member being normally in off position outof engaging registration with the terminals, and means within the shellengageable with the conducting-member for, the door being closed and theconducting-member in normal position, retaining the conducting-member inits said normal position.

2. In combination, an enclosing shell having an opening, a pair ofspaced terminals mounted within the shell, a door hinged toy the shellfor closing said opening, a conducting-member mounted on the door andbeing both swingable relatively to the shell with the doorA andyieldingly slidably shiftable on and in a plane parallel with the planeof the door for, when shifted and the door closed, electricallyconnecting the terminals, said member being normally in oil position outof engaging registration with the terminals, and means comprising aslotted insulation member within the shell, the door being closed andthe tion' with the terminals, and a slotted insulation wall fixed withinthe shell adapted, the door being closed and the blades in normalposition, for engagement with one of the blades for retaining theconducting member in its said normal position.

4. In combination, an enclosing shell having an opening, a pairvofspaced terminals mounted within the shell, a door comprising a panelhinged to the shell for closing said opening, said panel being providedwith a pair of aligned transverse slots, a handle-bar disposed flatwiseon the outer face yof the panel, a plate disposed flatwise on the innerface of the panel, studs disposed for movement in said slots andoperatively connecting the handle-bar and plate for slidable shiftablemovement relatively to the panel and shell, a conducting-member mountedonithe plate for, on shiftable movement of the plate and the door beingin closed position, electrically connecting said terminals, andspring-means engaging the door and plate for yieldingly retaining theconductingmember in normal off position irrespective of the swungposition of the door.

5. In combination, an enclosing shell having an opening, a pair ofspaced terminals mounted within the shell, a door comprising a panelhinged to the shell for closing said opening, a plate mounted forslidable movement on the under face of the panel, a recessed blockattached to and shiitable with said plate, a conducting-member mountedon the block for, when said plate is shifted and the door closed,electrically connecting the terminals, a stud projecting from said plateinto said recess, a prong projecting from the door panel into saidrecess in spaced relation to the stud, and a coiled spring havingengagement with the stud and prong for yieldingly retaining theconducting-member in normal 01T position irrespective of the swungposition of the door.

6. In combination, an enclosing shell having an opening, a pair ofspaced terminals mounted within the shell, a door hinged to the shellfor closing sa`d opening, a conducting-member mounted on the door andbeing both swingable relatively to the shell with the door and slidablyshiftable on and in a plane parallel with the plane of the door for,when shifted and the door closed, electrically connecting the terminals,said member being normally in off position out of engaging registrationwith the terminals, and means comprising a key-actuable lock on the dooradapted for retaining the conducting-member in normal olf positionirrespective of the swung position of the door.

7. -In combination, an enclosing shell having an opening, a terminalmounted within the shell, an insulation partition fixed within the shellover the terminal and having a pair of laterally spaced slots, one ofsaid slots being in registration with the terminal, a door` hinged tothe shell for closing said opening, and a conducting-member shiftablymounted on the door adapted, when shifted and the door closed, forprojection through said one slot into electrical engagement with theterminal, said conducting member being normally in off position out ofregistering relation with said one slot and the terminal, -saidpartition being adapted, the door being closed and the conducting memberin normal position, for engaging the' conducting member at its otherslot for retaining the conducting member in its said normal position.

8. In combination, an enclosing shell having an opening, a pair ofspaced terminals mounted within the shell, a cover hinged to the shellfor closing said opening, an insulaton-block mounted for shiftablemovement on the inner face of the door, a pair of correspondingly spacedinwardly presented conducting-blades on the block adapted, when theblock is shifted and the door closed, for electrically connecting theterminals, the blades being normally in 01T position out of engagingregistration with the terminals, a resilient member having connectionwith the block and the door for yieldingly retaining the block and itscarr'ed blades in normal off position, and a hand grip disposed on theouter face of the door and having connection with the block forshiftably actuating the same against the pull of the resilient member.

9. In combination, a shell, line and distribution terminals mounted inspaced aligning relation Within the shell, an insulation housing withinthe shell comprising a partition wall vertically disposed intermediatesaid terminals and a second horizontally disposed partition wall havinga slot in vertical registration with the line terminal, a door hinged tothe shell, and a pair of spaced electrically connected conducting'members permanently mounted on and relatively to the shell swingablewith the door, said conducting members being normally out of engagingrelation with said terminals and being shiftable on the door for, onclosure of the door, electrically engaging and connecting saidterminals.

WILLIAM WURDACK.

